Be yourself, everyone else is taken – Oscar Wilde

Month: March 2016

26 million dollars, goodness knows how many pro new flag articles in the NZ Herald, countless grumpy old men and women discussions in RSA’s, and a few thousand tea towel comments later, the people have spoken and the people of NZ said Yeah Nah.

I voted to keep the old flag, and honestly not because I was being anti John Key. But because I was so terribly disappointed at the alternative. If Red Peak or something that had style and meaning like Tino Rangatira had been up against our existing flag, I would have voted for change. I definitely did not vote to keep our existing flag because I love the Union Jack so much. You got that wrong Sir Paul Beresford.

According to Mr Key, it was a discussion about our Nationhood – but perish the thought we discussed becoming a Republic. How would he get his knighthood and be able to keep handing them out to his mates if we got rid of the monarchy?

But I actually think despite the absolute waste of money, and how poorly it was executed. We might look back one day and realise that was when we really started seriously considering becoming a Republic. And even though that isn’t what our Glorious Leader wanted, that might be a legacy he will leave us, that he can be proud of. Instead of number of shout outs for being an idiot by John Oliver.

While on the subject of becoming a Republic, I ended up last week having an interesting twitter conversation with Peter FitzSimon, author and columnist. He picked my St George Dragons to beat the South Sydney Rabitohs. If you know anything about his picks, you know they are the kiss of death. In fact I would guess teams probably pay him not to pick them to win.

Anyway, as per our tweets below Mr OzRepublic FitzSimon arranged a Dragons win, and I am now a supporter of the Australian Republican movement – obviously they will take anybody. And yes I also support the New Zealand movement as well.

I’m a Kiwi but if that counts at all, very happy to. It goes without saying NZ should be a Republic too

Thank you. I guarantee it.

Well @Peter_Fitz you played your part. What a game! Petition signed. Kia Kaha

The Dragons had an amazing second half in appalling conditions to beat the Bunnies. 8 points to 6.

It wasn’t pretty but it didn’t have to be.

So there here you have it Mr FitzSimon picking your team isn’t always the kiss of death. And if news of his special powers of being able to make a win happen for supporters of the Rebuplican movement. I think membership would go through the roof.

Here Billie is re enacting how the the game ended. Bad News for the Bunnies!!!

Just before I go here are the best and worst things I read this week.

The best, a great and heartfelt piece by Jesse Mulligan about his sadness of hearing of the death of Garry Shandling. I always thought Garry was a genius, love his work and so does Jesse obviously

Watched a great movie this weekend – Iris. This documentary about 90 something fashion icon Iris Apfel, filmed by an 80 something documentary maker Albert Maysles is an absolute delight.

As someone who still manages to button shirts up wrong, and would actually just like to live in either pyjamas or active wear. A movie about style and fashion may not be an obvious movie choice for me. But it really is so much more than that.

It is an absolute homage to living a life well, making your own way, doing something you are passionate about, and it is a love story as well. Iris’s husband Carl, who turns 100 while the film is being made, is obviously still in love with his fascinating wife, and she with him.

Anyway far better writers than me have reviewed and loved this movie. But honestly if you have a spare 90 minutes, do watch it. I am sure you won’t regret it.

Needless to say, Mr Brett loved the movie. But the fact that was a lot of clutter, and a bit of clothes hoarding going on (even fabulous clothes) did make his tidy fingers start itching to have a clean out.

I give it 5 stars. Brett gave it 4, I think it lost a star for the hoarding components 🙂